|
SECOND QUARTER 2013 NEWSLETTER
|
MEMBER-TO-MEMBER PROGRAM
Of the approximately 1,000 members of NESBG, 75 have signed up for listing in the Member-to- Member program which promotes members doing business with other members. Many offer discounts to other members. We encourage you to check out the website with a roll out date of August 1st.Even if you chose not to list your business we encourage you beginning August 1st to go to www.nesbg.com and check out the list of businesses and discounts available to our members.
CLARIFICATION OF THE EFFECTS OF OBAMACARE ON NESBG MEMBERS.
To clear up any misconceptions and answer questions you may have:
- All groups including sole-proprietors will have their current contract in force until their renewal date. Options will be provided once programs and rates become available.
-
This does not apply to Crystal Run programs (Orange and Sullivan Counties only) which must be discontinued on January 1 due to not meet
the minimum network criteria under Obamacare.
-
Be aware that owners of small businesses including their family members may not take advantage of the business tax credits available in the Exchange. This impacts most of our members.
-
Writing sole-proprietors over the next six months in the NESBG program will be a significant benefit to that group of individuals.
If you have friends or family in that category please let them know about NESBG
- Beginning January 1 all health plans, upon renewal, must include prescription drug coverage as a core benefit. Since 35% of our members do not take prescription coverage, this will cause their rates to increase significantly as a result of this mandate.
- Wherever possible, as renewals for sole-proprietors occur in 2014, look very carefully at making your business a group of two.
This is easily done wherever you have a husband and wife that are not incorporated
or an LLC by making your business a Qualified Joint Venture. Or the spouse/family member may become a partner in an LLC or a shareholder in a corporation. Doing this will be a significant benefit to that business. (Go to the IRS website and type in Qualified Joint Venture
to determine if you are eligible for that designation).
-
We will be exploring the use of Non -Exchange plans moving forward and more on this will be forthcoming over time.
If you have any specific questions in addition to those provided above, please contact us and we will do our best to answer them. We would suggest you wait until the end of August when programs, rates, options and qualifications are projected to be promulgated.
REMEMBER TO CHECK THE WEBSITE PERIODICALLY FOR UPDATES ON PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
|
